Ambient gas flow alarm

Abstract

A gas flow alarm includes a main barrel with a proximal end and a distal end. The main barrel defines a gas flow direction from the proximal end to the distal end. A cap is disposed slidingly on the main barrel between a proximal position and a distal position. The proximal position of the cap defines a compressed condition of the gas flow alarm and the distal position of the cap defines an expanded condition of the gas flow alarm. A noise generating device is disposed within the main barrel. The noise generating device is adapted to generate noise from the gas flow when the gas flow alarm is in the expanded condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A gas flow alarm, comprising:
 a main barrel with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the main barrel defines a gas flow direction from the proximal end to the distal end; 
 a cap slidingly disposed on the main barrel between a proximal position and a distal position, wherein the proximal position of the cap defines a compressed condition of the gas flow alarm and the distal position of the cap defines an expanded condition of the gas flow alarm; and 
 a noise generating device disposed within the main barrel, wherein the noise generating device is adapted to generate noise from the gas flow when the gas flow alarm is in the expanded condition. 
 
     
     
       2. The gas flow alarm of  claim 1 , wherein the noise generating device is a whistle. 
     
     
       3. The gas flow alarm of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a biasing member operatively disposed between the cap and the main barrel, biasing the cap in the distal position. 
 
     
     
       4. The gas flow alarm of  claim 3 , wherein the biasing member is a coil spring. 
     
     
       5. The gas flow alarm of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the main barrel defines a threaded portion. 
     
     
       6. The gas flow alarm of  claim 5 , wherein the threaded portion is adapted to accommodate a diameter index safety system connector. 
     
     
       7. The gas flow alarm of  claim 6 , wherein the diameter index safety system connector is connected to a gas source. 
     
     
       8. The gas flow alarm of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a nipple disposed at the distal end of the main barrel for connection to a gas destination. 
 
     
     
       9. The gas flow alarm of  claim 8 , wherein the gas destination comprises tubing. 
     
     
       10. The gas flow alarm of  claim 8 , wherein the cap defines an opening through a distal end thereof, permitting the nipple to protrude therethrough when the gas flow alarm is in the compressed condition. 
     
     
       11. The gas flow alarm of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a wall disposed within the main barrel, upstream of the noise generating device, for concentrating the gas flow adjacent to the noise generating device, thereby enhancing the noise generated thereby. 
 
     
     
       12. The gas flow alarm of  claim 11 , wherein the wall occludes approximately at least one of 75-95%, 80-90%, and 85% of an interior diameter of the main barrel. 
     
     
       13. The gas flow alarm of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one first tab disposed on a proximal end of the cap; and 
 at least one channel defined by the main barrel, 
 wherein the first tab is configured to engage the channel when the cap is disposed on the main barrel. 
 
     
     
       14. The gas flow alarm of  claim 13 , wherein the first tab comprises two tabs and the channel comprises two channels. 
     
     
       15. The gas flow alarm of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one second tab disposed on the main barrel at the proximal end, the second tab facilitating attachment of the main barrel to a gas source. 
 
     
     
       16. The gas flow alarm of  claim 15 , wherein the second tab comprises two second tabs. 
     
     
       17. The gas flow alarm of  claim 1 , wherein an exterior surface of the main barrel is configured to facilitate attachment of the main barrel to a gas source. 
     
     
       18. The gas flow alarm of  claim 17 , wherein the exterior surface of the main barrel is at least one of textured, abraded, knurled, and shaped with a non-circular cross-section. 
     
     
       19. The gas flow alarm of  claim 1 , wherein the main barrel and the cap have cross-sectional shapes selected from circular, elliptical, square, triangular, rectangular, polygonal, ovoid, and amorphous. 
     
     
       20. The gas flow alarm of  claim 1 , wherein the main barrel and the cap are made from at least one of thermoplastics, resins, polymers, nylon, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, metal, and ceramics.